Gardening Articles: Care :: Plant Care Techniques

Deer Scram

by Charlie Nardozzi

For many gardeners, keeping deer away from their prized perennials, shrubs, trees, and vegetables is a year-round battle. Now a new, organic deer repellent offers another weapon for keeping deer at bay. Deer Scram contains active ingredients (animal by-products) that smell like death to deer but aren't offensive to humans.

Unlike other repellents, deer reportedly don't get accustomed to the smell of Deer Scram, and one application is claimed to be effective for up to 90 days in the garden. Deer Scram granules can be applied around a variety of plants, such as vegetables, perennial flowers, shrubs, trees, and vines. It needs to be reapplied after a heavy rain, and it's even effective when sprinkled on snow in winter.

Another bonus is Deer Scram contains 12 percent nitrogen fertilizer so it enhances plant growth with each application.